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The second round of singles will begin on Day 4 of the Australian Open 2025. All top 10 players made it through the first round, led by the four leading favorites for the title, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Iga Swiatek.
Last year's quarterfinalist and 13th seed Anna Kalinskaya unfortunately withdrew hours before her first-round match, as did Marketa Vondrousova. The biggest upset of the tournament thus far has been Victoria Azarenka's loss to Lucia Bronzetti. A two-time champion in Melbourne, she fell to the Italian in straight sets in the first round.
Ekaterina Alexandrova and Jelena Ostapenko were among the other seeded players to bow out in the first round. With players aiming to book their spots in the next round on Wednesday, here are the predictions for some of the women's singles matches set for Day 4 of the Australian Open:
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#1 - Marta Kostyuk vs Jule Niemeier
Kostyuk rallied from a set down to beat Nao Hibino 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open 2025. It marked her first win of the year and snapped a three-match losing streak as well.
Niemeier, meanwhile, handed Maja Chwalinska a 6-0, 6-1 beatdown in her opener to secure her maiden win at the venue, and her first win of the year. The Australian Open is Kostyuk's best Major with a 11-5 record. Aside from a first-round exit in 2021, she has reached at least the third round here in every appearance and also advanced to her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal here last year.
Both players are excellent shotmakers but are equally inconsistent with their performances. Kostyuk had better results compared to Niemeier last year, and given that she usually plays her best in Melbourne, their first career meeting could eventually sway in her favor.
Predicted winner: Marta Kostyuk
#2 - Belinda Bencic vs Suzan Lamens
Bencic toppled 16th seed Ostapenko 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the first round of the Australian Open to record one of the best wins of her comeback. Lamens beat Veronika Erjavec 7-5, 7-6 (2) to make a winning debut at the Grand Slam level.
Bencic has returned to the tour following the birth of her daughter last year. She has been quick to find her best form when required. She needed multiple match points to oust Ostapenko, she held her nerve to get over the finish line.
Bencic has a 16-10 record Down Under, with trips to the fourth round in 2016 and 2023 being her best results here. Lamens has only begun to make her way up the rankings. Given her opponent's inexperience on the biggest stages of the sport, the Swiss will be favored to make it through this clash.
Predicted winner: Belinda Bencic
#3 - Donna Vekic vs Harriet Dart
Vekic scored a 6-4, 6-4 win over Diane Parry to begin her campaign at this year's Australian Open. Dart initially lost in the qualifying rounds but found a place in the main draw as a lucky loser. She made the most of her second chance and scored a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7) win over Jana Fett in the first round. It marked her second career victory at the venue.
Dart won her previous and only meeting against Vekic in Nottingham back in 2022 in straight sets. However, that match was played on grass. The Croat has also stepped up her game since then and had a career year last season.
Vekic claimed the silver medal at the Paris Olympics and advanced to her maiden Major semifinal at Wimbledon. She also has a 14-12 record in Melbourne, with a quarterfinal showing in 2023 being her best result. Dart is aiming to reach the third round here for the first time. While the Croat could face some resistance, she should be able to overcome it to continue her journey.
Predicted winner: Donna Vekic
#4 - Clara Tauson vs Tatjana Maria
Maria started her Australian Open campaign with a 7-6 (3), 6-4 over Bernarda Pera. It marked her first main draw win at the WTA level since September 2024. Tauson, who won the ASB Classic before she arrived in Melbourne, fought back from a set down to upset 29th seed Linda Noskova 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Maria, now 37 years old, is still giving players younger than her a tough time with her perfectly timed sliced shots. Her fitness and movement remain quite good for her age as well. While she's a veteran of the tour now, her record at the season's first Major is quite dismal, and she improved it to 4-11 after her win over Pera.
Maria has never made it past the second round of the Australian Open. Tauson, meanwhile, reached the third round here on her debut in 2022. She also beat the German at last year's French Open in straight sets. Given the young Dane's form, she's likely to send her older rival packing from a Major once again.
Predicted winner: Clara Tauson
Special Mentions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will step onto the court on Day 4 of the Australian Open to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. It looks like a straightforward task for the Belarusian, who is expected to defeat the Spaniard in straight sets.
Mirra Andreeva vs Moyuka Uchijima
Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva will also be in action, facing Moyuka Uchijima. Like Sabalenka, Andreeva's chances look promising on paper, and she should have little trouble defeating the Japanese player in straight sets.
